India in Australia: Shikhar Dhawan to Take on Mitchell Johnson Challenge

Australia pace demon Mitchell Johnson poses no fears for India who will fight fire with fire in this week's Test series, opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan said Sunday.

Dhawan has vowed to go after Australia's fast bowling trump card if given the chance to face him in the opening Test in Adelaide from Tuesday. (Dhoni Shows no Discomfort in Training Session Down Under)

"I feel that you need an aggressive opener in today's cricket which can turn things around," Dhawan told reporters.

"So that will be a very good thing for us. And I would love to play that role."

While respectful of Johnson, Dhawan, who lives in Melbourne with his Australian-born wife, said there was "no fear factor" in confronting the International Cricketer of the Year.

"Of course, he's one of the best bowlers in the world," he said.

"He has got really good pace and we have prepared for that pace. (Pujara Says He's Ready for Australia Series)

"I have faced him lots of times back in India but I will be facing him for the first time in Australia so it's going to be a good challenge and I'm going to enjoy the challenge."

Dhawan, 29, has played only one Test innings against Australia when he hammered 187 on debut in Mohali in March last year.

The left-hander cracked 33 fours and two sixes in that explosive knock but has passed 50 in just two other Test innings. (Dhoni Eyes Top Three Spots in Test Rankings)

Dhawan's runs have dwindled outside India, with the left-hander averaging only 20.33 on the recent tour of England, prompting pundits to question his ability to flourish on pacy pitches.

"That is their thinking and their point of view," he said. (Australia Ready to Inflict Pain on India: Watson)

"I am always open for change for the betterment of my game... like in England, I couldn't score much runs, so that was a good learning curve for me.

"And it made me a better player. I always finds lots of positives in my failures too."